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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Monday, November 13, 2023

Daniel John Martin @ Claypath Deli, Durham - Nov. 9

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals, whistling) with Swing Manouche - Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (rhythm guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass) + Giles Strong (guitar)

The return of 'DJM', as Daniel John Martin is known, is a cause for celebration. Twenty four hours earlier, DJM joined Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche for a gig in Barnard Castle, this evening (Thursday) the second of three gigs in the region attracted a select audience to Claypath Deli in Durham. Continental beers (it ain't a real ale emporium), pizzas the size of dustbin lids, a chilled ambience, it had all the makings of a memorable night. 

DJM's casual air could deceive the casual listener. Those who had yet to encounter the Paris based violinist were in for a pleasant surprise. They were in the presence of a true virtuoso. Harry Archer's I Love You opened the show. Quite simply, magnificent! Technique in abundance, swagger, swing, DJM has got it all. An engaging character, the evening's star attraction happily afforded space to his fellow musicians: Mick Shoulder, sharing the soloist's workload with DJM, Dave Smith, right on the money as the rhythmic anchor, likewise, Swing Manouche's string bassist, Paul Grainger.

Django Reinhardt's Dinette (DJM singing one verse), bassist Grainger soloing effectively on Djangology, the Gershwins' Oh, Lady Be Good! - the world's finest concert halls could/should accommodate this stuff yet here we were on Claypath with a beer and pizza. 


DJM singing It Had to Be You (marvellous), Reinhardt's Troublant Bolero, it was time to invite the evening's guest to join the party. DJM asked Giles Strong what he'd like to play. Guitarist Strong replied: You play something, I'll just join in. And so he did,. The Sheik of Araby the tune. How do they do it?! 

Isham Jones' I'll See You in My Dreams, lyrical, gently swinging, it was almost time to go, but not before the Reinhardt/Grappelli favourite, Oriental Shuffle. It had been a fabulous evening. The following day there would be one further opportunity to catch DJM and Swing Manouche in the historic surroundings of Auckland Castle.          
 
Set list: I Love YouThe Anniversary SongDinette (vocal); DjangologyDanse Norvegienne (Norwegian Dance)Oh, Lady Be Good!Douce AmbianceCoquetteIt Had to be You (vocal); Troublant BoleroThe Sheik of ArabyI'll See You in my DreamsOriental Shuffle. Russell

1 comment :

Dave Smith said...

Thank you for the nice review Russell.

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